Free IRS-certified tax preparation help available all weekend

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - Tax day is right around the corner and some Arizonans who qualify can still get help preparing their tax returns at no cost, all weekend.

The Southern Arizona Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and the IRS will continue to offer free, online tax preparation for both federal and state tax returns. This is for those who have a yearly income of $54,000 or less ans also includes seniors, disabled or residents who speak English as a second language.

All volunteers, some of whom have been volunteering for years, have been certified through the IRS VITA program to prepare basic tax returns, check for credits and deductions, and to electronically file both federal and state tax returns.

Claudia Delgado, who has been filing her tax return through the VITA program for the last three years, said not only are the volunteers knowledgeable and experienced, the "no-cost" factor helps her save money.

"I would rather come here and have this help that they're providing for free than going to an accountant that's going to charge anywhere from $150 to more dollars that I can keep in my pocket," said Delgado.

As the tax deadline gets closer, the program's lines get busier, said Liz Thomey, director of the Assets for Families program, which operates the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. She recommends that people gather all the necessary paperwork and head to one of VITA's prep sites sooner than later.

"We average about 30 people per day," at each site, said Thomey. "At the end of the season, it's more like 50 to 60 people. Monday, we're open for extended hours and that could be 50 to 100 people."

Volunteers will also determine whether people are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit or EITC, which is for those who work but don't make a lot of money.

For example, if you made $53,267 or less last year, you may qualify. Refundable means even if you didn't have any federal income tax withheld on wages earned, you could still get money back from the government.

According to the IRS, the EITC refund could be as much as $6,242 for a married couple with three or more children.

The following Tucson area locations will be open to help:

• Pan Asian Community Alliance, 940 S. Craycroft Rd., Sunday, April 17, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Pio Decimo Center, 848 S. 7th Ave., Monday, April 18, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

NOTE: These free tax help sites will not be able to provide help with business tax returns or complex individual income tax returns.

You can also visit www.unitedwaytucson.org/VITA for more information and other locations open throughout Pima County that are open through April 18.

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